Created in Midjourney

Embrace Note-Taking Simplicity

Getting Started with Your Digital Mind Garden

Have you been intrigued by the idea of Personal Knowledge Management in the past but intimidated by complex, multi-app workflows? If so, you’re not alone.

It can feel daunting trying to get started. And until you have a substantial number of linked notes, it’s hard to see the enormous value that’s to come.

But starting your own mind garden doesn’t have to be a difficult or time-consuming task.

If you’re just getting started, keep your system to four simple steps.

Step 1: Choose a Tool for Thought
Step 2: Create a new note for anything you want to remember (Seeds)
Step 3: Expand the notes you want to keep (Evergreens)
Step 4: Link Your Notes Together

The key is to focus on writing and linking your notes until you have cultivated a collection of 50–100 notes.

Advanced organizational structures like folders, tags, and MOCs can evolve naturally as your garden grows.

If you already have a collection of notes but feel they’re a bit chaotic, don’t stress it. We’ve all been there. Consider keeping your preexisting notes in a separate folder and gradually importing them as they become relevant.

And for those of you who already have an efficient note-taking system in place, you probably don’t need this article at all. But hey, it’s always good to revisit the basics from time to time. 😉

Choose a Tool for Thought

The first step is to select your note-taking tool. Many people get stuck on this step and jump from platform to platform without ever truly focusing on their notes.

The truth is, the tool that you choose is much less important than having a reliable system of note-taking.

Look for a platform that supports bi-directional linking so that you can see the backlinks for each note.

I recommend Obsidian for a variety of reasons.

Once you’ve chosen your tool, create a folder called “Seeds” to house all your initial…